Man charged with arson after campfire spreads in Park County
PARK COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) -- A man faces a series of charges following a wildfire in the area of County Road 56 over the weekend.
According to the US Forest Service, the fire was reported Sunday, May, 1, at 11:56. near Park County Road and Forest Service Road 813, roughly 4.2 miles east of Jefferson.
Engines and a hand-crew from USFS and local volunteer fire departments, one large Airtanker, two single-engine air tankers, and one type two helicopter responded to the wildfire, referred to as the 56 Fire.
Around 4:50 p.m. on May 1, Airtankers were released while all other resources worked on constructing a fireline.
At 6:14 p.m. on May 1, 56 Fire was 40% contained. At 8:15 p.m. the fire was 50% contained and all aircraft were released for the night.
On Sunday, May 2, the USFS reported the fire was 100% contained at 4:30 p.m.
On Monday, the 56 Fire received several inches of snow, however, firefighters stayed in the area to patrol the fire as needed.
In total, the wildfire burned 45 acres. The Park County Sheriff's Office says the wildfire never threatened any structures However, several campers in the area were evacuated by Wildlife officers and Park County deputies.
The sheriff's office determined the fire was caused by a person who had driven off of the trail and started a campfire that got out of control. Deputies say the person did remain in the area and called 9-1-1 to report the fire.
The Park County Sheriff's Office identified the person as Phillip N. Riker.
Riker faces the following charges:
- Intentionally Setting a Wildfire - Felony 3
- Second Degree Arson - Felony 4
- Unlawful Conduct on Public Property - Misdemeanor 2
- Driving Under Suspension - Misdemeanor Traffic
Riker was booked into the Park County Jail before being released on bond Sunday evening.
